A delightful celebration of movement and dancing. All kinds of people, all kinds of dance, for all kinds of reasons. The illustrations capture the motA delightful celebration of movement and dancing. All kinds of people, all kinds of dance, for all kinds of reasons. The illustrations capture the motion and the words express the onomatopoeia of it all....more

A surprisingly sweet story of sibling solidarity hidden within a nighttime monster tale. The illustrations were very unique - the people were renderedA surprisingly sweet story of sibling solidarity hidden within a nighttime monster tale. The illustrations were very unique - the people were rendered a little smudgy, but I really liked the way this worked for the night scenes and creatures. ...more

I'm a little ashamed that it took me until halfway through the book before I realized exactly what the flashlight was illuminating. I'm tempted to useI'm a little ashamed that it took me until halfway through the book before I realized exactly what the flashlight was illuminating. I'm tempted to use it for a storytime, but think that the finer details wouldn't be noticed in a large group....more

In a way, this story is nothing special. Rocket prepares for a meteor shower. She talks about how obsessed she is with space and astronauts and the skIn a way, this story is nothing special. Rocket prepares for a meteor shower. She talks about how obsessed she is with space and astronauts and the sky. She and her brother go to the store and Rocket talks up the meteor shower that should be visible that night. The whole neighborhood heads to the park to watch the meteors, but it's a really (really, really) long wait and people leave and Rocket's disappointed... (view spoiler)[ until THE METEORS FINALLY SHOWER GLORIOUSLY ACROSS THE SKY! (hide spoiler)] Basically, just a regular day in the life of a pretty regular girl in a regular family in a regular neighborhood.

But somehow, Rocket's enthusiasm combines with some very peppy illustrations and snappy space facts to create a truly delightful story....more

A really sweet story about an enthusiastic young person determined to throw her dog the best birthday party ever. Unfortunately, the dog in question iA really sweet story about an enthusiastic young person determined to throw her dog the best birthday party ever. Unfortunately, the dog in question is overwhelmed by all the hullaballoo and is NOT having a good time. It ends on an upswing, however, after the party is modified for a rather introverted dog.

A pretty fantastic demonstration of how not everyone parties the same way, and it's okay to have a party that might not be typical, but is instead just right for the guest of honor.

An extra-challenging seek-and-find combined with a counting book. The birds are difficult to pick out, which I really liked, because it seemed to mimiAn extra-challenging seek-and-find combined with a counting book. The birds are difficult to pick out, which I really liked, because it seemed to mimic the difficulty of finding a bird in real life. Probably less easy to use with a big group than her other books, just due to the difficulty of the seeking....more

A briefly plotted, functional look at what might make a man cry. The illustrations delight, and despite the sparse storyline (view spoiler)[(Levi is gA briefly plotted, functional look at what might make a man cry. The illustrations delight, and despite the sparse storyline (view spoiler)[(Levi is going to school. He's nervous, and his dad tells him that boys don't cry, so Levi bucks up. He sees a lot of men crying. He comes home realizing that his dad was wrong. Dad also realizes that he was wrong.) (hide spoiler)] the message is a good one....more

The final sentence of the author bio on the back flap says that this book “...was inspired by a real-life Doctor of Crocodiles in her family.” EitherThe final sentence of the author bio on the back flap says that this book “...was inspired by a real-life Doctor of Crocodiles in her family.” Either tell about the inspiration or don’t tell, but why half-ass it? Who is this Doctor and how did they inspire this really weird yet sweet story?

When I’m ambivalent about a story a good afterward or author’s note can change my whole perspective. In this case, I was pleased but not blown away by the story. It was quirky and cute and wonderfully strange. The illustrations struck me as unusual and lovely.

A gloriously illustrated book about a wide variety of eyes. The tarsier's eyes occupy the cover and how can you not pick that up? And then you learn aA gloriously illustrated book about a wide variety of eyes. The tarsier's eyes occupy the cover and how can you not pick that up? And then you learn about all kinds of other cool animal eyes: some that see far, some that see all around, some see on top and on bottom of the water, some keep sand out, some look in different directions. Fabulous....more

Shatter all the stereotypes, Ogilvy. At once both sly and very obvious, Ogilvy pokes fun at the gender roles we’ve constructed for ourselves and thenShatter all the stereotypes, Ogilvy. At once both sly and very obvious, Ogilvy pokes fun at the gender roles we’ve constructed for ourselves and then locked ourselves into. Short and snappy, this cuts through a lot of nonsense.

Sometimes I wonder if folks write children's books because you can put anything weird into the story and it still reads as totally plausible. This booSometimes I wonder if folks write children's books because you can put anything weird into the story and it still reads as totally plausible. This book is totally ridiculous and weird, and yet somehow fun and cool at the same time. ...more

Beautifully illustrated and adorable. Front and back-matter add detail, but not quite enough for me. I wanted to know more about the poop-bags. And whBeautifully illustrated and adorable. Front and back-matter add detail, but not quite enough for me. I wanted to know more about the poop-bags. And whether or not scientists know if some baby birds are more reluctant to fly than others.

My five year old has just gotten to the point where we can each read a part in Elephant and Piggie. This book, modeled extremely closely on the originMy five year old has just gotten to the point where we can each read a part in Elephant and Piggie. This book, modeled extremely closely on the original series, fit right in with our read aloud fun. Trying to read any E&P book as expressively as possible is hugely entertaining for everyone.

The illustrations make me want to see how other artists would interpret Elephant and Piggie and Piggie... Seymour and Sow, Bernard and Boar, Pritchard and Porker......more